Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. (May 27, 1936 – March 29, 2024) was an acclaimed American actor who had a successful career spanning seven decades. Making his stage debut at the age of just 17, Gossett quickly established a reputation as a talented actor, going on to star in numerous critically acclaimed plays such as A Raisin in the Sun, The Blacks and The Zulu and the Zayda. His breakthrough role came in 1977 when he appeared in the popular miniseries Roots, which won him an Emmy Award. Gossett continued to achieve success with acting roles in high-profile films, television shows and video games, including a role in An Officer and a Gentleman that saw him become the first African-American actor to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Gossett embarked on various other iconic projects, such as starring in Iron Eagle film series, and voicing in the famous video game Half-Life 2. He also had an extensive career in theater and television, including series like Stargate SG-1 and Watchmen. Gossett's career also comprised of significant roles in productions like The Landlord, Enemy Mine, and The Deep. Throughout his career, Gossett won several awards and nominations including the prestigious Golden Globe Awards, and multiple NAACP Image Awards. Beyond his acting career, Gossett was an active philanthropist and founded his own Eracism Foundation.